Daijiworld Media Network- Washington
Washington, Aug 3: In a tragic end to a desperate search, four senior members of an Indian-origin family from Buffalo, New York, who went missing while travelling to a spiritual retreat in West Virginia, have been found dead following a fatal car crash, confirmed Marshall County authorities on Sunday.
The deceased have been identified as Dr Kishore Divan (89), Asha Divan (85), Shailesh Divan (86), and Gita Divan (84). The family was en route to the famed Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold in Marshall County when they lost contact with family and friends, sparking a multi-state search.
According to Marshal County Sheriff Mike Dougherty, the missing vehicle, a 2009 lime green Toyota Camry bearing New York registration number EKW2611, was located around 9.30 pm (local time) on Saturday. The car had crashed off a steep embankment along Big Wheeling Creek Road, where all four passengers were found deceased.
“First responders worked tirelessly for over five hours at the scene. Our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving families during this time of profound loss,” Sheriff Dougherty said in a statement. He added that the incident remains under investigation and more details will be shared once the case is closed.
The elderly group was last seen on July 29 at a Burger King outlet in Pennsylvania, where two of the victims were caught on CCTV footage entering the premises. Their last credit card transaction was also traced to this location. A short while later, their vehicle was picked up by a license plate reader on Interstate 79, heading south.
Efforts to locate the family saw collaboration from Marshall and Ohio County deputies, who searched multiple surrounding areas. The vehicle’s details were registered with the National Crime Information Center, and a missing persons report had been officially filed in Buffalo.
The incident has left the Indian-American community in shock. The Council of Heritage and Arts of India (CHAI), a nonprofit organisation based in Williamsville, New York, had also stepped in to assist in locating the family.
“Two elderly couples travelling together had gone missing. We were all hoping for their safe return. This is heartbreaking,” said CHAI President Sibu Nair, who had earlier appealed to the public for any information.
The family’s destination, Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold, often referred to as the “Taj Mahal of the West,” is a popular pilgrimage site known for its spiritual ambience and cultural significance.
What was meant to be a sacred journey has now turned into a tragedy that has deeply shaken the community both in the US and in India.